by Milly Taiden
“How are you?” I asked, smoothing my palm over his hand.
“I broke my leg. It hurts a bit less, but I’m okay,” he said with his eyes barely open. They must have given him something very strong to ease the pain.
“Yeah, I see you did.”
“They’re taking him for x-rays in a few minutes,” my mother whispered from the side.
“I think I’ll need a cast.”
“Probably.”
“Can I sign it?” Christa chirped.
“Yeah.”
“I should go, T,” Adrian said from behind me. “Dan will be here soon.”
From the corner of my eye I saw my mother frown.
“You can stay.”
“I know, but I should really go. I’ll only be in the way if I stay.”
I knew from his tone Adrian didn’t want to make my ex-husband uncomfortable or be the center of Dan’s attention when his son needed him the most. If I had to bet, I was sure he didn’t want to appear like he was stepping into Dan’s role. There was no one else in the world I wanted to be here more than Adrian, but he was right. Dan was Jonathan’s father, and his male ego could easily flip to caveman mode once he saw Adrian with our kids.
“Take care, guys.” He kissed my mother on the cheek, then me, and turned to leave.
“Hey, Hulk?” Jonathan called out.
Adrian turned back and I could tell he tried to contain that smile that crept at the corner of his mouth.
“Yes?”
“Will you sign my cast for me too?”
“Of course.” He turned to me, saying, “Call me when you get home and if you need anything, T.”
I watched him as he disappeared through the front door. My heart began to ache with emptiness the moment he left.
CHAPTER 13
With the exception of Jonathan’s new cast, by Saturday night our life had returned to normal. Both Dan and my mother stayed for the weekend, running around the house to fulfill any and all of Jonathan’s wishes. Not that my son fussed—he was probably one of the best patients we could have had, and played on his Xbox most of the time, analyzing the skater’s jumps.
The cast would stay on for eight weeks. We made arrangements to drive Jonathan to school and back every day, instead of being bussed, and he was excited to use his new crutches.
Dan canceled all his appointments for the weekend and offered to be the chauffeur for the kids during the week. He played all Jonathan’s favorite games with him and for the first time in a long while, we even managed to watch a movie together as a family.
Yet even with everyone at home, I couldn’t deny the lurking emptiness in my chest. I’d called Adrian when we returned from the hospital. Of course he’d told me to concentrate on Jonathan for now and that we’d get in touch during the week, but with every passing hour I missed him exponentially more.
A low knock sounded on my bedroom door.
“Come in,” I said.
“I’m gonna work on my computer for a couple more hours downstairs before I go home. Do you need anything?” Dan asked.
“No, thank you. I’m exhausted.” It was more of an emotional exhaustion than physical. When I tried to relax, all I could think about was Adrian and how much I needed him, yet I couldn’t leave my family at this time.
Dan shifted from one foot to another, “So, this guy you’re dating, have the kids met him?”
“Yes, they have. I’ve only introduced him as a friend, but I think Jonathan’s old enough to have figured out it’s a bit more than that.”
“Am I going to meet him?”
My brow rose upward as I shifted in my bed. “Do you want to?”
“Yes and no.” He laughed nervously. “Yes, because I’m curious. No, because Jonathan’s referring to him as Hulk.”
My chest jumped with laughter as I chuckled. “I hope you’re all right with me dating.”
“I’ll never be okay with you in another man’s arms, but I had my chance and blew it. I was a stupid son of a bitch. It’s not easy when you realize you fucked up and lost the only woman you ever loved. But I do trust and respect you enough to know when to let go. You’re the smartest woman I know, Mia. And I’m sorry I was too late to see that. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
My chest swelled. Hearing this kind of praise and honesty coming from Dan’s lips was new to me, and I wasn’t completely sure how to react without thinking that he had some sort of an ulterior motive—but I couldn’t find any.
“Thank you. That means a lot. And I will introduce you, as soon as we can set something up.”
“You know, maybe it’s good I haven’t met him. This way I have time to adjust to the idea, at least.”
“Dan…”
“I know you wouldn’t have involved the kids if it wasn’t serious, which I have to say makes me a little jealous.” Dan paused. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. For whatever it’s worth, he must be a good guy to have called me to come to the hospital.”
I let out a breath. “He is.”
“Good night, Mia.”
“Good night, Dan.”
I lay back on my bed with a sense of relief. For the first time since Adrian had come back to my life, hope began to sparkle in my chest that perhaps our complicated relationship could work out after all. I could find a way for Adrian to not just fit in but be family.
I picked up my phone, twirling it around. Its backlight glowed in the dark. It was already after ten, but I missed Adrian so much, I needed at least to hear his voice. I dialed the number, my heart picking up its rhythm.
“Hey, T. How are you? How’s Jonathan?”
“Hi.” I squirmed in my bed at the sound of his deep voice. At this moment it was exactly what I needed. No, what I needed was Adrian next to me, in my bed, but his voice would have to do for now.
“I’m good. Jonathan’s doing much better now.”
“You sound sad.”
“I’m just tired and I miss you. I’m sorry our evening was cut short Friday night.”
He let out a long breath. “I miss you too. But we can make it up.”
“My mom will be here all week in the afternoons to help with Jonathan. Dan has changed his appointments around school too.”
“That’s good. You need the help now.”
“I know, but it means not much privacy.” I shifted on my pillow, smoothing my hand over the one next to me. It had been so long since someone I loved had shared my bed.
“What would you do if you had privacy?” Adrian’s throaty voice vibrated through the receiver.
“See you; finish what we started.” I shut my eyes tight, glad he couldn’t see my flushed cheeks over the phone.
“Ah, I remember promising to help you let go of your stress, and I never fulfilled that promise.”
I giggled. “You did, but I want more.”
“Me too. What happened under that waterfall was just the beginning. You tasted delicious.”
I put my hand over my face. “I can’t believe you did that to me.”
“I wanted to do more. Where are you now?” he asked.
“In bed.”
“Okay, I’m jumping into mine now. What are you wearing?”
Is he really doing this? I felt a happy dance begin between my legs. “A sheer camisole and matching panties.”
“Liar. You’re a t-shirt kind of girl.”
“How do you know?” I asked. Yet he was so right. I looked at my v-neck t-shirt, and of course I was wearing a pair of boyshort panties.
“Some things never change, T. When we went camping you were the only one who wore a t-shirt and shorts to bed while the other girls pranced around in their skimpy pajamas. And I know you like to be comfortable in bed. What else do you do in bed all on your own?”
“Nothing.” This time the heat wave that flushed my cheeks rushed down and dove into my panties, lingering there. The intense ache was so strong, it awakened that greedy need I couldn’t suppress when Adrian was around.
“Y
ou’re lying again. Do you want to know what I’m doing?”
Yes! “No.”
But of course Adrian ignored another fib of mine.
“I’m stroking myself, thinking about your soft skin and your round lips. How they swell and turn pink when I kiss you and how your chest rubs against mine when your nipples get hard. All I want is to take them in my mouth to soothe their ache.”
I closed my eyes, feeling my lips pucker and my nipples turn to little pebbles. “You’re not,” I said quietly.
“Touch yourself,” he whispered.
“I can’t,” I said.
“For me. I’m imagining your fingers there, getting you ready for me.”
Adrian had me so horny, there was no way I could argue against him. Breathing heavily, I slid my hand down my belly at his command. Grazing over the small strip of hair I ventured lower, parting my folds, feeling my wetness begin to collect around my opening. A soft moan escaped my mouth.
“Tell me how it feels.”
Was that out loud? “Good.”
His breath was raspy and quick. “Are you wet?”
“Yes.”
“What are you thinking?”
“How you’d feel there, your fingers…” I pulled my juices higher to my clit.
“My mouth, my dick,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I’m tightening my grip, wishing you could be sitting on me, hot and slick, sliding up and down.”
My fingers circled around my nub, and as the first quiver flew through me, I increased the pace.
“Keep going, T. Don’t stop.” His voice was ragged. “Because for fuck’s sakes, I can’t stop either.”
My ass tensed at his words. I pulled up my essence again to moisten my clit and rubbed my index and middle finger harder and faster. The intensity grew as I listened to Adrian’s deep breathing on the other side of the phone. The groans and noises coming out of his mouth were enough to drive me over the edge. I imagined him holding himself, his hand squeezing as he pulled the skin up along his muscle. I wondered whether he’d fit as tightly inside me as he had years ago, and whether he’d be eager to come or take his time.
“I’m close,” I whispered.
“I’m gonna come with you, T. Thinking I’m inside you.” His voice broke as I fondled my clit with the last unbearable flicks, grasping my breast with my free hand, squeezing it as my orgasm flew through me like a bullet, shaking my legs underneath the covers. I curled my toes as if trying to lock it in for longer, then let go and it settled, pulling through all my tense muscles, liquefying them. I opened my eyes, lowered my shoulders, and eased the tightening on my ass and thighs, completely undone. My heartbeat drummed in my chest.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes,” I breathed out. “Much better.”
“Gimme a sec, I made somewhat of a mess here.” He laughed.
“Don’t you guys use socks for these things?” I giggled.
“Not when I’m thinking about you, T. There’s no time for a frickin’ sock.”
“I can’t believe we just did that.”
“Hey, it’s another first for us.”
My chest shook again. “It is, isn’t it?”
“I really do wish I was there with you. That way I could hold you and feel you fall asleep in my arms after we made love over and over again.”
“Me too.” I so badly wished it that it hurt. Although I doubted we’d get much sleep at all.
“When can I see you again?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. Evenings would be difficult. I need to stay with Jonathan now. He’ll be pretty immobile for another week, and even with my mom and Dan around, I’d feel guilty leaving.”
“How about lunch on Wednesday? I can get out of the office for an hour or so.”
“Have you checked my schedule?” I chuckled, because that was the only day this week I actually had off.
“Of course.”
“Okay, lunch it is. Text me the address and I’m there.”
“Hey, T?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t hang up. I want to listen to you fall asleep.”
“Okay.”
And like a teenager desperate to stay on the phone until morning, I lowered the phone beside me. I closed my eyes and snuggled into the pillow listening to Adrian’s gentle exhales, wishing it was already Wednesday.
CHAPTER 14
I arrived at Cambridge Mill, the most expensive restaurant in town, ten minutes before noon. Far in the distance, beyond the patch of darker clouds, a fresh rainbow perfectly framed the building where Adrian stood in front, waiting for me at the door. I’d never seen him in a business suit before, and boy, did he ever look like a man worthy of my attention—actually, worthy of anyone’s attention. He didn’t fit the streets of a small town and would probably stand out among New York’s most lucrative business men.
Abso-frickin’-lutely hawt!
Smoothing my hands over my dress, I smiled at my choice of sexy yet elegant attire, suitable for dining at this luxurious restaurant.
Adrian greeted me with a delectable kiss on my mouth. It lingered there along with the smell of his aftershave.
“We’ve never been to a restaurant together before, have we?” he asked, taking my hand and opening the door.
“No. Another first?”
“It’s never been so good to be your first.” He winked, stepping inside.
Soft music played overhead as a hostess greeted us. “Welcome, Mr. Reed. Your table is ready, sir.”
The perky blonde with spiky hair led us through the hall. While I pictured her as a tattoo artist or a drummer in a band, she carried herself like a true professional hostess. The hallway, like most of the interior, was set in stone walls, with cast-iron decorations hanging here and there. An appetizing smell of fine dining floated around us.
“Adrian, this restaurant is way over the top for lunch,” I leaned in to whisper.
“I’m trying to make up for twenty years of missed lunches with you.” I loved the way his pierced brow rose when he looked at me in that mesmerizing way. And that dimple in his chin was absolutely sinful. “Don’t worry, T. I’m a responsible man. I wouldn’t be taking you here if I couldn’t afford it.”
The way Adrian could read my mind and my concerns never ceased to amaze me.
We were seated in a private booth by a fireplace overlooking the tables on the lower level. While our booth appeared secluded and out of direct view from below, it felt like we were still part of the restaurant, as we could see everyone else. A single daisy was propped in a tall vase in the middle of our table. I noted all the other tables had a different arrangement from ours. This man had everything planned to the last detail.
“My name is Anna, and I’ll be your waitress today. Can I get you something to drink?” the waitress asked.
“Iced tea, please,” I said.
“Cranberry juice.” Adrian leaned forward on the table as soon as the waitress left. “How’s Jonathan?”
“He’s waiting for Hulk to sign his cast.”
“How in the world did he break his leg?” Adrian opened the menu.
“He wanted to show Grandma the new skateboard trick he’d seen on his game, but didn’t practice first.”
Adrian pushed the menu away to the side, his mood sobering. “I feel awful.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“Why?”
Pure guilt washed over Adrian’s face.
“This isn’t your fault. He obviously shouldn’t have been doing a trick that difficult.”
“Yeah, but he saw it on that game I got him.”
“There’s no way you could have prevented it. You know how boys are. Jonathan should have known better.”
He sat back, obviously struggling to accept Jonathan’s recklessness. The waitress brought our drinks, and we ordered lunch. Once she left we picked up the conversation as if no time had passed. It still blew my mind how at ease I always felt with Adrian.
/> “I feel like I should buy him something to make up for it.”
“As someone told me, bribery always works; but if you sign that cast, he’ll be in heaven.” I reached forward, taking his hand. “I’m serious. Please don’t make it more than it is.”
“All right, I’ll go with that for now.” He rubbed his fingers over my wrist.
“And thank you for taking me out. I really needed to get away from everything.”
“Anytime, T. The start-up work is finally winding down for me. One more contract and the business is a done deal, so I’ll be happy to have more time for us. I still owe you a proper adult date.” Adrian picked up a napkin and sneezed into it.
“Bless you. Isn’t that what we’re doing? Having a date?”
He simply shook his head sideways. “Thank you. I meant a date where we won’t have an audience, and I can finally do with you as I please.”
I held my breath, hoping he wouldn’t go over that provoking list he’d described to me by the waterfall and over the phone—otherwise I’d need to get away to the bathroom to cool off.
“Not so easy being a parent and an adult, is it? Where have the good times gone when we could just sneak away at our leisure to have fun?” he asked.
Feeling heat sweep through my tummy, I remembered all the times we’d found an opportunity to fool around when we were young. In the attic; in the orchard against that apple tree; at the unoccupied construction site where Adrian’s uncle was building a brand new house; out in the yellow fields where he’d taken me for the first time. And it didn’t matter what time of the day it was or what we were wearing, so long as he could be inside me and I could enjoy his luscious lips.
Our order came just in time, saving me from Adrian’s stare. I was not ready to tell him my thoughts, not this time.
“You have a sinful look on your face,” he said.
“What’s a sinful look?”
“One that tells me you’re thinking about us together. Your nose creases upward, right there.” He reached forward and smoothed his finger over the bridge of my nose.
“So, how big is your business exactly?” I cleared my throat.
“Clever, T. You’re trying to change the subject. I think it’s safe to assume you had dirty thoughts on your mind then.”
